What is NACE MR0175?

NACE, being an acronym for the National Association of Corrosion Engineers, is commonly used as short-hand for the internationally recognised standard NACE MR0175. As a result, a ‘NACE compliant’ product is one that is compliant with NACE MR0175 and meets all its requirements. As a result of this compliance, the product can be considered for sour service environments within the set operational limits.

The History of NACE

The National Association of Corrosion Engineers started life as a small group of corrosion engineers working on a regional study. However, this ad hoc group subsequently developed into an international association focused on the challenges of corrosion in industrial processes. 

NACE MR0175 was originally a standard for the USA market, intended to assess the suitability of materials for oilfield equipment where sulphide stress corrosion cracking may be a risk in hydrogen sulphide ‘sour’ environments. However, given the importance of this standard to the global Oil and Gas industry, it was ultimately co-opted by ISO, the world standards body.

To give its full name, NACE MR 0175 (‘Metals for Sulphide Stress Cracking and Stress Corrosion Cracking Resistance in Sour Oilfield Environments’) specifies the types of corrosion-resistant materials that can be used in specific oilfield environments. One particular feature of this standard is the use of limits for material hardness, as it is the only practical material measurement that can be conducted in the field as a validation of material specification. Despite this restriction, hardness has a reasonable correlation with overall mechanical properties and is applied to both the parent metal and any weld features.

Limits of MACE

Given that the standard is focused purely on sulphide stress corrosion cracking, it does not address the issues of general corrosion or pitting corrosion. Similarly, NACE does not stipulate minimum mechanical properties or a required manufacturing route, nor does it stipulate general testing standards, and it does not provide a complete selection tool.

The hydrogen sulphide threshold limits have been established based on real-world experience and laboratory testing. The standard has evolved over time, such that both the operating limits and the material requirements will vary quite considerably. The standard also provides guidance for the selection and specification of materials when the hydrogen sulphide thresholds are exceeded. This allows for ‘fit-for-purpose’ testing to be undertaken in order to qualify grades for a particular application.

As previously mentioned, NACE MR0175 is now published and maintained as ISO 15156-3.

As a default requirement, Langley Alloys stock will be produced and is expected to meet the ‘NACE’ standard if applicable.

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